Operators anticipate steady increase in U.S. visitors to Iran

NEW YORK -- Although Iran may not yet be the darling of Middle East travel destinations, tour operators marketing programs to the ancient Persian kingdom report steady increases in bookings.

Iran's lure includes monumental ancient ruins, distinguished Islamic architecture and glittering palaces of the shahs.

The move of American tourists back to Iran began with a trickle in 1997, following the Iranian government's announcement the year before that it would start issuing visas to tourists.

According to Rita Zawaideh, president of Caravan-Serai Tours in Seattle, the pace of inbound U.S. tourists should take another giant step forward when the government opens a tourist office in New York, slated for the fall. "Iran is going to be a big destination," said Zawaideh, who added that Iran is a big country and distances are great, so travelers need at least a 10-night tour to appreciate the destination.

To assist agents in getting to know Iran, the tour operator will continue to offer fam trips, with the next one planned for October. "Both agents and clients will be amazed by Iran's antiquities and by how the people are so friendly toward foreign visitors," Zawaideh said. "Visitors also will enjoy the great shopping in the bazaars where prices are wonderfully low on high-quality crafts," said Zawaideh.

Caravan-Serai is offering three departures on different Iran itineraries this fall, ranging from nine nights to 14 nights. For example, the Iran: Exploring the Persian Silk Road itinerary leaves from Tehran and travels to Mashad for two nights, Isfahan for two nights, Shiraz for three nights with a visit to Persepolis, Kerman for two nights and Yazd for one night.

Starting in Tehran Oct. 1, the tour costs $2,148 per person, double, and includes accommodations at three- and five-star hotels, meals, domestic flights, comprehensive sightseeing, services of an English-speaking guide throughout the tour and visa handling.

"After 20 years off the traveler's route, Iran is once again welcoming tourists from North America," said Hossein Lotfi, Iranian-born president of Silk Road Tours in Vancouver, British Columbia, "and for the culturally concerned traveler in the U.S., the country is going to prove to be a must-see destination for either escorted tours or customized [and escorted] itineraries."

Lotfi said his company's most popular program in the U.S. market is its 14-night Cultural Historic Tour, followed by itineraries that include the Caspian Sea, an area of grand nature and unspoiled villages "that Americans always love," said Lotfi. According to Lotfi, the company will soon open an office in Seattle, even though, as he reported, "New York is our best sales area."

Silk Roads Tours offers seven different escorted programs to Iran, ranging in length from seven to 20 nights, as well as tours of 18 or 25 nights that combine Iran and Uzbekistan. All tours have monthly guaranteed departures.

The operator's extensive tour products include a special-interest Persian Rug itinerary, as well as a Solar Eclipse tour, scheduled to depart Aug. 11.

On a nine-night cultural tour of Iran, for instance, travelers spend the first and la st two nights in Tehran; one night in Kerman with an excursion to the citadel at Bam; four nights in Shiraz including an excursion to Persepolis, and two nights in Isfahan.

The land-only package is $1,995 per person, double. The package includes accommodations at three- and five-star hotels, meals, transportation, domestic air, escorted sightseeing and assistance with the visa application.

Ashraf Michael, president of Egypt Tours & Travel, said that "while we are not yet talking about big numbers of U.S. visitors traveling to Iran, we are looking for a 40% increase this year. More than 250 passengers visited last year on both [our] group tours and FIT itineraries."

Michael pointed out that agents should plan well ahead for client travel to Iran because visa processing takes more than two months. According to the Chicago-based Michael, his company is the only one specializing in arrangements for individual travelers, who basically follow a 10-night Persian Dream Tour.

The Persian Dream features two nights in Tehran; two nights in Isfahan; three nights in Shiraz, and one night each in Yazd, Bam and Kerman. The tour is priced at $4,139 and includes international air from New York to Tehran (connecting through Europe gateways), domestic air, private car transfers, sightseeing with guides, deluxe and first class hotels, daily breakfasts and some other meals.

The company also customizes tours to include other regions such as the Caspian Sea, where ecological and natural attractions are found.